Kostka returns to Hawks, makes presence felt

Defenseman scores early Tuesday after missing 22 games with injury

DALLAS — A stop in the AHL en route to his return to the Blackhawks gave Michael Kostka an opportunity to hit the ice at full speed after missing 22 games with a right foot injury.

The defenseman played in two games with the IceHogs last week on a conditioning stint and posted an assist and a plus-three rating.

"It was good I got to go down to Rockford and get a couple of games in to get my timing back," Kostka said. "I feel good now. You can practice and skate as much as you want with the team, but ultimately nothing is quite like playing in a game."

Kostka was injured getting in extra work following a morning skate Oct. 22 in Sunrise, Fla., and finally rejoined the Hawks' lineup when they faced the Stars on Tuesday night. Before the injury, Kostka appeared in two games with the Hawks and had a goal and two penalty minutes. He wasted little time contributing Tuesday as he scored on his first shift to put the Hawks ahead.

"In the games he played for us, we liked what he did back there," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Offensively, (he's) real solid (and) defensively he moves the puck quickly and joins the attack."

Familiar face: When the Hawks face the Flyers on Wednesday night at the United Center, it will mark Ray Emery's first appearance against the team with which the goaltender helped win the 2013 Stanley Cup. Emery signed with the Flyers during the summer as a free agent.

"Last year was definitely a memorable year," Emery told the Flyers' team website. "I enjoyed playing in Chicago overall for two seasons. (Wednesday) is just another game. You can't get too caught up in past experiences. You just have to kind of live in the moment and realize you're playing against a good team.

"Chicago gave me an opportunity," Emery continued. "I was really grateful for that and I got a chance to play some games over the two years I was there and it was a really good experience."

Helping out: TV analyst Eddie Olczyk has partnered with Blackhawks Charities for the third annual Eddie Olczyk Award, which supports youth hockey players, teams and organizations in Illinois that may not have the means to play at a competitive level.

"Anybody who knows hockey knows how expensive it is and if we can help any organization or family that is looking for financial help to allow them to play this game, then it's an opportunity to give back," Olczyk said.

Individuals, families or organizations in need of assistance to run hockey programs and wish to be considered can go to blackhawks.nhl.com/youthhockey for more information.

"We want people to know that we're going to give $25,000," Olczyk said. "Somebody's getting the money and we want to hear from everybody."